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Google under antitrust investigation by EU, on content use for AI

EU Opens Antitrust Investigation Into Google’s Use Of Online Content For AI

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Regulators are examining whether the company used publisher and YouTube content to train generative AI tools without fair terms.

 

The European Commission launched a formal antitrust investigation into Google over concerns that the tech giant may be misusing online content to power its artificial-intelligence (AI) services.

The investigation will examine whether Google has violated EU competition rules by using content from web publishers and its own video platform, YouTube, to train generative AI tools without fairly compensating content creators or offering them the right to opt out.

Under scrutiny is whether Google imposed unfair terms on publishers and content creators, granting itself privileged access to a vast pool of material while simultaneously preventing rival AI developers from using the same sources. Critics argue that this could give Google an unfair edge in the competitive AI market.

According to the Commission’s statement, Google’s AI Overviews generates summaries that appear above traditional search results, and AI Mode offers a chatbot-style interface — both built using online content. Some publishers report feeling pressured, as refusing to allow their content to be used could mean sacrificing visibility in Google Search, which many rely on for traffic.

The EU is also investigating whether video content uploaded to YouTube was used to train Google’s AI models without appropriate remuneration. At the same time, YouTube’s policies reportedly bar non-Google developers from using those same videos for training.

If the investigation finds that Google violated EU competition law, the company could face serious consequences. Under EU rules, fines can reach up to 10% of a firm’s global annual revenue, potentially amounting to billions of dollars.

In response, Google said the probe is “misguided,” arguing that its AI services operate in a highly competitive market and asserting its commitment to working with news and creative industries during the transition to AI use.

This latest investigation follows a wave of regulatory scrutiny of major U.S.-based tech firms by European authorities, highlighting mounting tension between rapid advances in generative AI and the protection of content creators and fair competition.

Meta's WhatsApp under scrutiny by EU for antitrust issues

EU Launches Antitrust Probe Into Meta Over WhatsApp AI Restrictions

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The inquiry centers on whether Meta’s integration of Meta AI and concurrent restrictions on outside providers violate EU antitrust rules.

The European Commission has opened an antitrust investigation into Meta Platforms over recent policy changes affecting third-party AI access to WhatsApp. The move follows concerns that the company’s updated rules may unfairly limit competing AI services while advancing Meta’s own assistant, Meta AI.

The probe, announced December 4, focuses on Meta’s decision to restrict general-purpose chatbots from using the WhatsApp Business Solution API. The updated policy, introduced in October 2025, prevents external AI assistants from operating on the platform if their primary function is AI-based customer interaction. Meta’s own AI assistant remains fully available to WhatsApp users. According to the Commission, the policy may hinder rival developers’ ability to reach businesses and consumers through one of Europe’s most widely used communication channels.

The investigation applies across the European Economic Area, except in Italy, where the national competition authority is conducting a parallel inquiry. Unlike recent actions taken under the Digital Markets Act, Brussels is pursuing this case under traditional antitrust rules. If the Commission finds evidence of anti-competitive conduct, Meta could face fines of up to 10% of its global annual revenue, and regulators may require changes to the policy.

Officials said the assessment will focus on whether Meta’s rules could distort competition by favoring its in-house AI services over those developed by independent providers. Regulators and industry groups warn that WhatsApp’s scale makes it an important distribution channel for AI tools used by European businesses, and limiting access to external developers could reduce market diversity and create barriers for smaller providers. The Commission said maintaining fair access to dominant platforms remains a priority as companies integrate AI technologies into widely used communication tools.

Meta has rejected suggestions that the policy is anti-competitive. A company spokesperson said the WhatsApp Business API was designed for customer service and transactional messaging rather than general-purpose AI assistants, and that external chatbot usage had strained system resources. The company emphasized that developers have other channels to reach consumers, including mobile app stores and search engines, and said the broader AI market remains competitive.

The investigation reflects Europe’s increasing focus on how large technology platforms incorporate AI into existing products. Regulators are evaluating not only data practices and transparency requirements but also whether AI-driven features reinforce market dominance. The outcome could influence how AI services are allowed to operate on major messaging platforms as policymakers assess the competitive implications of rapidly expanding AI integration.